India calls global community for humanitarian aid to Afghan people
Speaking at the UN High-level Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan, Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar said, “I wish to underline that in the face of grave merging situation India is willing to stand by the Afghanistan people just as in the past.”
FollowNew Delhi: India on Monday called the global community to come forward in helping the Afghanistan’s people in the wake of evolving humanitarian crisis in the war-ravaged country.
The situation is becoming deplorable after the Taliban seized the country on August 15 and it is being believed that the country would engulf into 97 per cent poverty.
Speaking at the UN High-level Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan, Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar said, “I wish to underline that in the face of grave merging situation India is willing to stand by the Afghanistan people just as in the past.”
“To ensure that it happens speedily and effectively we believe that the international community must come together to create the best possible enabling environment,” he said.
Stating that Afghanistan is passing through a critical and challenging phase, the minister said, “There has been a sea change in its political, economic, social and security situation and consequently in its humanitarian needs.”
As an immediate neighbour, India is monitoring development with understandable concerns, he added.
He also said that the relationship with Afghan people will continue further.
“India’s own approach to Afghanistan has always been guided by historical friendship with its people. This will continue to be the case. For that matter, even in the past we have contributed to humanitarian requirement of that society,” Jaishankar added.
He also highlighted the relief work carried out by India in the past for Afghans. The minister said India has worked in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan with 500 projects and invested over $3 billion.
Calling logistics in Afghanistan is a challenge, the minister said, “It is essential that humanitarian assistance providers are accorded unimpeded, unrestricted and direct access to Afghanistan. Once relief materials reach that country, the world will naturally expect a non-discriminatory distribution of humanitarian assistance across all sections of the Afghan society.”
Stating that the United Nations has the capacity to monitor such endeavours and reassure donors, he said, “As the picture becomes clear in respect of the legitimate concerns I am confident that the world will step forward and assist the Afghan people in their hour of need.”
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